AUGUSTA -- The legislative Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA) has released the final report from its Performance Audit of State Contracting for Professional Services: Procurement Process to the legislative Government Oversight Committee.
The audit was focused on whether current procurement practices minimize costs for professional services by assuring those services are necessary and are purchased at reasonable rates.
OPEGA concluded that the State does generally have appropriate practices for limiting the extent of professional services contracting and assuring contracts are at reasonable rates. However, OPEGA did make suggestions for strengthening existing controls to enhance accountability and transparency. A comprehensive review of Cooperative Agreements between the State and the University of Maine or Maine Community College Systems was also recommended.
Attached is an Executive Summary of the report. The full report can be obtained on OPEGA’s website at www.maine.gov/legis/opega or by contacting the OPEGA office in Room 107 of the Burton Cross Office Building, phone number 287-1901.
